The Columbus Foundation Announces Support for Expansion of HandsOn Central Ohio’s Corporate Volunteer Service Program

Shelly Lewis named executive leader for volunteer center

COLUMBUS, April 28, 2014—The Columbus Foundation today announced support for the expansion of HandsOn Central Ohio’s corporate volunteer service program, an effort to connect more employees of major corporations with civic engagement opportunities in the community. Shelly Lewis, manager of Corporate Volunteer Programs at The Columbus Foundation, is moving to HandsOn Central Ohio to assume the newly created role of Senior Director of Volunteer & Resource Development and will serve as executive leader for HandsOn’s volunteer center effective May 5, 2014.

“HandsOn Central Ohio is re-energizing its focus on the important area of corporate volunteer programs, and is well-positioned, in terms of scale and experience, to provide invaluable and cost-effective services to our area’s corporations,” said Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “Shelly is a true leader in this area of community engagement, and we are thrilled she has agreed to lead HandsOn’s volunteer center.”

HandsOn Central Ohio is the local affiliate of the Points of Light Foundation’s HandsOn Networks—one of the largest networks of volunteers in the nation. Corporate volunteerism is the focus of the networks’ Corporate Service Council, an initiative aimed at promoting active volunteerism among major companies.

“This announcement with The Columbus Foundation is a great way to launch our extensive platform for services to corporations in the important area of volunteer management,” said HandsOn Central Ohio’s CEO Ernest Perry. “We are fortunate to be enhancing our work in this area with dedicated staff and the leadership of one of central Ohio’s most experienced corporate volunteer managers, Shelly Lewis.”

L Brands is the first client of the corporate volunteer program.

“We are pleased to be joining The Columbus Foundation in supporting the work and growth of HandsOn Central Ohio in this way, and are proud to be their first client in this enhanced program of service,” said Janelle Simmons, chief diversity officer and associate vice president of Community Relations & Philanthropy at L Brands. “Volunteerism is a significant part of our culture, and we know that Ernest Perry, Shelly Lewis, and the team at HandsOn Central Ohio will be a great partner and service provider for us.

About HandsOn Central Ohio

HandsOn Central Ohio is the region’s premiere community insights and collective volunteer action organization, serving Greater Columbus for nearly 40 years. HandsOn is one of the largest affiliated organizations in the international HandsOn Network, partnering with companies, civic groups, and individuals to increase participation in and grow the impact of volunteer service in Greater Columbus and its surrounding communities. As the largest AIRSTM accredited, information & resource referral call center in Ohio, HandsOn uses its deep community insights to provide nearly 500,000 people, each year, with access to critical human and social service resources, community trends research, and meaningful volunteer experiences that build the capacity of individuals and organizations to strengthen and sustain vibrant communities.

About the Columbus Foundation

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 2,000 individuals, families, businesses, and communities that have created unique funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for 70 years, The Columbus Foundation is the seventh largest community foundation in the United States. The Foundation’s online giving marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for everyone to access valuable information about nonprofit organizations in central Ohio.